Historical Markers in
Northampton County, Pennsylvania

1910 Bethlehem Steel Strike A Changing Landscape A Community of Workers A Legacy of Steel Air Products Alumni Memorial Plaza Anchor Hotel Anthracite Tidewater Canals Astronomical Observatory Bell House Bethlehem Built Bethlehem Steel Plant Blast Furnace Brethren's House Canal Boats Catherine Drinker Bowen Central Moravian Church Charles M. Schwab Christopher Columbus Statue Connecting Communities Across the Delaware River Continental Army Honored Dead Crown Inn Date Plate David Brainerd David Martin's Ferry David Tannenberg Delaware Canal Delaware Canal Dr. Florence Seibert Easton Easton Easton & Nearby Heritage Attractions Edward Marshall Edwin L. Drake Establishing a College at Easton Eugene E. Hartzell Memorial Tree Eugene Gifford Grace Exploring The Corridor First Bethlehem Pharmacy First House of Moravian Settlement First Reformed Church Floating From Mine to Market Founding of Easton and Northampton County From Mountain to Market From Waterways to Highways Gemein Haus Gemeinhaus George Wolf Heat Treating Heckewelder House Henry Noll Henry's Gun Factory Hilda Doolittle Honored French Soldiers Who Died at Yorktown Horsfield House Hot, Loud, & Dangerous Immigration & Industry Indian Peace Treaties Iron and Steel: A History It's a Short Commute John Frederick Wolle John Fritz Lafayette Lafayette Lafayette College Civil War Memorial Lafayette College Founding Lafayette College Gateway Lehigh Canal Lehigh River Liberty Trust Company Bell Life Along The Canal Making Iron Making Tracks Maurice K. Goddard Mid-Atlantic Highlands Millionaire's Row Monocacy Creek and Johnston Park Moravian Archives Moravian Cemetery Moravian Community Moving Materials Mules and Men Nazareth Non-Native Plants Northampton County Northampton County’s First Court House Northampton Street Bridge Oil Mill Old Chapel One Of The Hardest Jobs In The World Pennsylvania Canal Pennsylvania House Slate Exchange Hotel Phoenix Hose Company Portland Cement Portland Cement Pottery Pulaski's Banner Restoration of the Nain-Schober House Robert H. Sayre Samuel Phillippe Samuel Wetherill Sisters' House Slate Industry Slateford Soldiers and Sailors Monument St. Paul's Cemetery and Graveyard Sullivan Campaign Sullivan Expedition Against the Iroquois Indians Sullivan Expedition Against the Iroquois Indians Sullivan's Campaign Sullivan's March Sullivan’s March Sun Inn The Beginnings of Bethlehem Steel The Bethlehem Beam The Blower House The Canaler's Life The Confluence of Campus and Community The Declaration of Independence in Easton The First Triangulation Station and Benchmark The Flow Of Goods & Money The Great Square The Lehigh Canal The No. 2 Machine Shop The Old Chapel Thomas B. Holloway, M.D. U.S.S. Maine and Spanish-American War Memorial Veterans Memorial Walking Purchase Walking Purchase Walnutport Wartime Steel West Hall Whitefield House Why Did Bethlehem Close? Williams Township Totem Poles Wilson Baughman Gaither '15 Worshipping, Learning, Healing, Peacemaking • Edward E. "Hook" Mylin • • G. Herbert McCracken Gate •
The Hershey Company, one of the largest chocolate manufacturers in the world, was founded in Hershey, Pennsylvania, in 1894.
Pennsylvania random facts
Northampton County, Pennsylvania has a rich and diverse history that dates back to the early colonial period. The region was first settled by Native American tribes, including the Lenape, who inhabited the area for thousands of years. In the 17th century, European settlers, primarily of German and Dutch origin, began arriving in the region. In 1752, Northampton County was officially established, named after the English county of the same name.

During the American Revolution, Northampton County played a significant role in the fight for independence. The region's iron industry flourished, producing weaponry and supplies for the Continental Army. The county also saw several notable battles and skirmishes, including the Battle of Trenton in 1776.

In the 19th century, Northampton County experienced rapid industrialization, particularly in the Lehigh Valley region. The construction of the Lehigh Canal and later the railroad system spurred economic growth and the development of towns and cities such as Bethlehem, Easton, and Allentown. The county became a center for iron and steel production, with Bethlehem Steel becoming one of the largest industrial companies in the world.

In recent decades, Northampton County has undergone significant changes. The decline of the steel industry led to the closure of Bethlehem Steel in 1995, resulting in a shift towards a more diverse economy. Today, the county is known for its healthcare, education, and service sectors, with several colleges and universities contributing to its vibrant community. The area also boasts a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities, including hiking, biking, and exploring the scenic landscapes along the Delaware River and the Appalachian Mountains.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Northampton County, Pennsylvania.

  • 1752 – Northampton County, PA is established as one of Pennsylvania's original counties.
  • 1776 – The signing of the Declaration of Independence marks the beginning of the American Revolutionary War.
  • 1803 – The Lehigh Canal is completed, connecting Northampton County to Philadelphia and promoting economic growth.
  • 1837 – The Borough of Easton, located in Northampton County, is incorporated.
  • 1855 – The Pennsylvania State Normal School (now East Stroudsburg University) is founded in Northampton County.
  • 1893 – The Northampton County Courthouse, a Richardsonian Romanesque-style building, is constructed in Easton.
  • 1937 – The Lehigh Valley International Airport (formerly Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton Airport) is established.
  • 1970 – The Martin Tower, the former headquarters of Bethlehem Steel, is completed, becoming the tallest building in Pennsylvania outside of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh at the time.
  • 1992 – The Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem opens, bringing a new era of entertainment and tourism to Northampton County.
  • 2001 – The Musikfest festival, one of the largest music festivals in the United States, celebrates its 20th anniversary in Bethlehem.